Stone Reader (Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Look at Publishing
Review: This documentary is an interesting look at what happens in the publishing industry. Anyone who works in the arts can tell you that it's not necessarily the most talented who are the most successful. This movie tries to examine why this talented writer didn't achieve fame or become prosperous. The critics loved the author's first book, but the public didn't rush out to buy it and the author quit writing.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST-SEE FOR BOOK LOVERS... ONLY
Review: My husband and I stumbled onto this DVD with no prior knowledge of or about it, and rented it solely because it was about books (and we are book lovers). We absolutely loved it and were literally brought to tears, having been so moved by the director's love of reading and his lengthy search for an elusive author. We bought the special edition DVD from the Stone Reader website, and I recently ordered several copies from amazon to give as gifts this Christmas. If you watch it, be sure to check out the bonus features for additional recommended reading. My advice to anyone interested is, if you love books and love reading, then you will love this movie (and be as perplexed as I am by some of the negative reviews herein). I hope that there are some bibliophiles out there who will give this movie a look merely based on its subject matter, and NOT waste time scrolling through some of the nastier, baseless reviews, because 1) I think the movie works better without the viewer having pre-conceived notions about its arguable shortcomings (and certainly is more fun to watch without knowing what will happen - as many reviewers so boorishly and carelessly report here - duh!) and 2) any review that refers to homosexuality in the movie is DEFINITELY posted by someone who has either NOT seen the movie, or has ulterior motives (and furthermore, I find it curious that labeling something as gay - especially in the field of creative arts - is supposed to automatically be interpreted as a kiss of death; this movie is not at all about anyone being gay, but even if it were, would that alone make it worthy of a negative and hateful review?! Puh-leeze.). And finally, yes, okay, maybe the director is a bit egotistical in his telling of the story (which didn't faze me at all when watching it, by the way), but I agree with another reviewer who rightly pointed out that we all can get carried away sometimes when we feel so intensely about something... and that intensity (about books) is what you should have in order to really love and appreciate this movie. I actually wrote to Mr. Moskowitz after seeing the movie, and received a lovely, thoughtful letter in reply - so don't fall for the director-bashing reviews - he's just a guy who loves reading, and if you do too, then you'll LOVE Stone Reader.

Rating:
Summary: Stone Reader
Review: This is one of the most profoundly moving portraits of a lost novelist I have ever experienced. A must see. The book is a must read.